ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (CNN) – Barack Obama took a jab Monday at a weekend comment by John McCain that the minimum income for “rich” making $5 million a year.
At an economic roundtable discussion of the economy Monday in Albuquerque, Obama accused McCain of “peddling” President Bush’s economic policies from the past eight years, including tax breaks for the wealthy.
“Which I guess if you’re making $3 million a year, you're middle class,” said Obama, admitting that maybe McCain was joking.
But that's reflected in his policies,” Obama continued, “where for people making more than $2.5 million, he's giving folks a $500,000 tax break. And so this is a fundamental difference in this election.”
Both candidates appeared, separately, at Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church on Saturday for his “civil forum” on faith, values and leadership. Asked to define “rich,” McCain responded that it should be defined by a home, a good job, education and “the ability to hand our children a safer and more prosperous world…”
“So I think if you’re just talking about income, how about five million?” he later added. “I’m sure that comment will be distorted, but the point is that we want to keep people’s taxes low and increase revenues.”
Asked the same question earlier in the night, Obama joked that it was book sales of 25 million referring to Warren’s bestselling books. He then declined to give an exact number saying that it depends where one lives but that $250,000 a year means “you are doing well.”
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds responded in an email saying that Obama is “shamelessly distorting” McCain’s comment.
"Remember when Barack Obama said he was ‘tired of distortion, name-calling, and sound bite solutions to complicated problems?’ Neither do we," wrote Bounds.
From CNN Politics
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Obama thinks 55K+ is rich. A lot of finance people are ripping his tax plans, especially the one that will reinstate the marriage penalty.
Way to go, Obama, penalize us all, if you get elected. That's what your lemming fans want, obviously.
I think anyone making more than 150,000 a year is rich and needs to pay a little more in taxes!
Obama has no idea what he is talking about.
Best, he can make fun of others, but does he not know that not all Americans have rich friends like him who can "gift" million dollar home.
And what kinda tieup he has with wireless operators, Obama has been asking for texting messages all these days ?
Must be gtting big "funds" from wireless companies.
He must know it costs money to send text messages.
Well Barack, I guess that makes you and the good Senator from Arizona rich. So what's your point?
There's a shocker!
Thank you senator Obama. And poster above – Senator Obama said 250,000 is the cut off line for no taxing not 55K . Why is it so easy for you to lie?
BO is just rediculous.
5 Million McOLD w/ $500 shoes
Hey John, which of your wife's 10 houses did you sleep in last night?
Bounds' comment doesn't even make sense. "Neither do we" what? McCain has been the one doing the majority of the name-calling,distorting, lying, and giving sound bite solutions and answers. The American people may have fallen for the garbage in 2000 (although not really...Gore DID win.) And we certainly fell for the scare tactics of 2004, but one can only pray that we are all wiser now, and will see through the charades and the "my friends" rhetoric. I am not McCain's friend when he wants endless war, no taxes to rebuild our highways and keep our schools going, but endless money (from where exactly?) to fight overseas due to a threat of our own making. No way, no how, NEVER!
McCain's cross in the dirt story is stolen. Google the name of Alexander Solzhenitsyn. It's a Russian's story.
He was rich enough to buy the questions from Rick Warren on Saturday. What a SHAM that was. Rick is a TRICK.
Ran out on his wife for the money. What a slimeball McSame is.
Obama thinks saving $30 is not a lot of money, that's a lot when you only have $1.00 in the bank.
McCain lives in a world of wealth; his wife and he are worth over 1 billion. Of course to him $5million is considered rich just not filthy rich like him and his wife.
I don't blame McCain for saying rich as earning $5 million a year because Cindy is worth $100 million or more that's why he left his wife and married her. In other words, if you don't change your values and leave your spouse for someone who is rich, it's your fault.
to your comment –he diod not say 55k he said 250.000 and about so get it right
Blah, blah, blah.
I don't care where you set the limit on "rich". Both McCain and Obama will increase taxes! If you don't see it in your income tax, you will see it when your employer lays you off because their corporate taxes went up. Most of America is small business...the bakery on the corner that is scraping to get by. That owner will be taxed. You will suffer, maybe with higher prices.
Until government is reduced and taxes lowered we will continue down the wrong path.
Vote for Bob Barr!! Libertarian!
Well, McCain should have least given one descent answer to the questions he was asked. If McCain gave a 5 million dollar answer, where does distortion come in? There isn't any distortion if that's the answer McCain gave.
Obama has every right to address McCain's irresponsible response.
well it is easy to distort ones comments when all he says are jokes.....we are trying to find the president.......this is not comic view.......but maybe it is whem dealing with McCrappyjokes
Okay mccain, since you seriously lack poor judgment, here it goes – tax breaks for the rich which you propose, better called trickle down economics proved with the last 8 years THEY DO NOT WORK. I am a little tired of giving the rich all the tax breaks so I am voting for Obama who wants to give me and my kind (anyone making under 250,000 dollars) a tax break.
If he wins, the day Obama is elected President will be a sad day in the history of this country, mark my words. He is faint-hearted, a flip-flopper, bent on raising tax, and is more worried about his image than doing what's right. For Obama, it's a popularity contest just like the ads against him state.
McCain is out of touch and irrelevant.
doesn't matter. we should have lower taxes for everyone. everyone benefits from tax breaks.
Hey Obama, I'd like to know what title you will give your grandmother in your administration? She is one of the wisest people you know that you would turn to in your administration. That's what you said.
Barack Obama is the biggest idiot to run for President since John Kerry. I can't believe how far the Democratic Party has fallen...
I have to admit, McCain came across much, much articulate than Obama did at Warren's interviews.
to the wrirter of the above
Obama never say 55k was rich so you better get the GOP talking points right . he mention poeple making 250k were doing alright depending where you lived.The so called finance poeple were the same one's who back the current Bush plan see where gotten us.The marriage penalty is also a a lie, When over half of the major companies do not pay any taxes is another why we have a problem.
rewrite– to your comment he said 250k+ so get it right.. stop lying on the man and pay attention to what he says.
O.K. let me get this right: Panamanian McCain will keep the same Bush tax cuts in place. These tax cuts have destroyed this country. Any questions?
To the poster "Obama is the dumbest candidate ever"
Clearly you have no other intelligent input nor have you clearly read his economic platform. You need to look at your self in the mirror and realize that you yourself are a lemming – just simply believing the Republican lies.
Personally I am frightened of people such as yourselves – no ability to keep an open mind and really find the truth. Instead we are seeing the dumbing down of America, where we believe in easy solutions, and have foreign policy that can be reduced to simple campaign stump speeches like "Drill here – drill now"
These are the rich people McCain is going to help the MOST.... McCain and Rick Warren cheated on Saturday and SMART voters KNOW IT.
If you have to cheat before having a debate with a pastor you have definately lost your bearings......
I heard it. McBush was joking but it was a freudian slip joke. In McCains world, five million dollars is not much money.
Who was the leader of their clas and who graduated 85 out of 89 poop-for- brains?
Change 08
Deception, misdirection and propaganda, that is the Republican way. If anyone with any common sense think that John McCain and the wealthy Republican party is going to look after them then they are crazy. Forget about it.
"Obama is the dumbest candidate ever" whoever you are you are so dumb, read again the article it says 250K not 55k, idiot think, you must be taking something really big.
To the one guy that's posted so far... economists have already confirmed that his plan would save people making 55K range more money than McCain's would... so before spouting off distortions that certain crazy right wing radio show hosts are lying about... actually take a look at his plans. That way the person calling Obama the dumbest candidate ever won't look like the dumbest blog poster ever.
McCain still hasn't answered the question...
McCain also advertises that Obama will increase taxes on everyone – so McCain started the financial distortions first.
"he's giving folks a $500,000 tax break." – how is giving breaks to the rich helping our economy? I know 3 people worth several million and none of them are spending that $500k of tax savings on our economy.
McCain is richer than Obama even without his wife's income. Who's elitist? Who puts Country First?
Obama did not say 55k + is rich, if you are going to quote get it right. He said if you are making 250K+ you should be comfortable. If Americans weren't living above their means then we wouldn't have this huge mortgage crisis with foreclosure at a all time high. A lot of people brought houses above their means, we couldn't afford the war, and all of this unnecessary spending that the President has gotten us in, so can you imagine how it is going to be if McCain is in the white house, we will all be in the poor house if you are not making millions.
I quess it is the norm to walk around in $500.00 and their are Americans that can not afford shoes for their children. THINK!!!!!
Obama is the dumbest candidate ever – SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE MILLIONAIRE. Once again if your are making more than $250,000.00 a year then you will pay more. If you are under $250,000.00 you know the people the McCain Campaign thinks are WHINNERS and in a MENTAL RECESSION you will get a tax credit. KNOW THE FACTS
OBAMA 08-12
HE NEVER SAID 55K WAS RICH. I BELIEVE HE SAID 250K.
Even when Jesus was born his earthly parents had gone to be counted and pay taxes. Having said that I have to remind you that any government the world over has but one simple business and that is…..to collect taxes to allow the governments to provide services and protection to its citizens…take that away and there is no purpose of a government. I think you should be more involved in deciding what those services are. Take your pick and whining is not an option.
Obama's rich number appears to move. President Bush vetoed the Farm Bill, citing the preference to limit subsidies to farmers making over $2 million per year. Obama voted to override the veto, so at least on that day, rich was apparently somewhere over $2 million. Regardless of any of that, why does Obama think that just because someone makes more money, they should pay more taxes. Progressive (socialist) tax rates are not the answer.
LOL the term rich is relavent. Oprah is poor, when you compare her to Bill Gates and 55K is rich if you're making around 20-30K.
Obama goofed on this one. McCain said in the forum that he was joking and that he'd probably have it used against him by the Obama campaign. That Obama took the bait, here, shows he is playing politics at the most amateur level. He should have let this one ride. Mistakes like these are going to cost we Democrats the White House.
...he later added....the point is that we want to keep people’s taxes low and increase revenues.”
Well, this is what McCain AND Obama would say. But you and I know that you can't do both. And the government will always err on the side of helping itself to your income. Revenue, to the government IS taxes. So does it make sense to say "keep people's taxes low and increase taxes"?
NOPE.
don't vote for either of these two candidates!! They are only looking out for themselves, bigger government and more bloated government programs for their friends to run.
Sorry McCain, not all of us choose to leave our wives for multi-million dollar heiress'.
Obama didn't say 55,000.00 was rich – he said 250,000 & over would be taxed & lower than 100,000.00 would get a tax break!! See thats the problem with Republican voters – they always hear only what they want!!
Why haven't we seen any stories envolving McCain's children from his first marriage?
Could it be that they don't respect him? Are they refusing to be interviewed or are McCain's koolaid sippers, the mainstream media, protecting him like they did Edwards by not bringing attention to his adulterous past? Did McCain threaten them not to make any public statements?
Or that they are following the golden rule-
If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. I think that lack of support says volumes about not only McCain's family values but also his morals and his ethics.
when has Obama said 55K is rich? just another example of if the GOP cant debate the issue they just make something up. Obama did say GOP take pride in being ignorant boy is that true.
Where does it say that Obama thinks $55K is rich? Do tell.
Obama i..ever: You, like your candidate, are lying. Obama clearly stated at the forum that his benchmark was $250 000. Do your research!!
McCain's "answers" at the forum did not offer one single thing to middle and struggling workers or any suggestions of how he would correct the problems that are crippling the economic and social fabric of America.
Fool Obama said $250,000 and not $55,00.
UR the real DUMMY
You are really unbelievable "Obama is the dumbest candidate ever at 5.01p.m".
What your I.Q. is? Better still, you think you are smarter than Obama? Obviously not! If you were, you would not say that Obama ever referred to anyone earning $55+ as rich.
You Repugs have made millions of dollars off the Iraq war with all your defense government contracts. I hope you can sleep well at night with the thousands of innocent American blood that has been shed over this 'Iraq invasion'.
Anyone who earns over $250,000 is not poor!!!!!
Same old Washington politics, eh BO?
TO OBAMA IS THE DUMBEST CANDIDATE EVER:
You are the moron–your candidate supports a war that never should have been fought that has cost American taxpayers $700,000,000,000 and is projected to cost upwards of 2 trillion. McCain also supported the Vietnam war, another complete debacle that wasted countless lives and billions of dollars.
Well, his wife made 6 million last year, so maybe McCain's telling the truth.
Brilliant comment.
How's trickle down economics working out so far?
Your completely uneducated, distorted comment is so very typical of what's wrong in a country where millions of angry conservatives will vote for four more years of miserably failed and outdated policies just to ensure they're on the "winning" side. One day maybe, we'll get back down to thinking through our positions and not blindly following along when our "team" is roaring down the wrong path, but I don't hold out much hope for that.
If you don't think you are already being severely "penalized" by the current economic approach in place, you're either seriously misinformed, or you own eBay. Either way, take your old tired act back to Hannity or whatever FOX rock you crawled out from.
As a member of McCain's Rich friends I can tell you it isn't easy getting by on just a few millions. Sure gas is up, but the cost of a Hummer is through the roof. And while I wouldn't spend only $500 on shoes like my man McCain, the really nice ones are almost $1000.
Good to know that the presidential candidate who seems to think he's economically up-to-speed actually has no clue what the tax brackets look like! Sounds like we'll be in for 4 more years of the rich GOP cronies getting more tax breaks than they need if we elect McCain!
Obama NEVER said that 55K is rich! If people would start listening to him instead of all the lies the repubs are spreading, maybe the poeple would make smart comments! He defines rich as 250k and above!!!
McCain has a sugar mommy so he doesn't know anything about dollar values.
McCain i'm the biggest free trader.
visits to Mexico and Canada......... take our jobs it is good for you.
Hom many jobs have you lost? When he is president, many other unfair trade deals will be signed. With tax cuts for the rich, that means more debt for your children. No health care, stay in Iraq for years with no articial time table for all we know it could be for another 100 years.
McCain is an empty suit, defining the rich as any one with 5 million.How many Americans do have that?
McCain a risky choice.
I don't think people should be taxed for working hard to get where they are in life. Why should people be punished for getting somewhere? In other words, Obama thinks that if you live out the American dream and make it big, you should be taxed more. That is not the right mindset. I believe a flat tax is the way to go, specifically the fair-tax, so people are taxed on what they buy, and not on what they earn. This is also what McCain proposes. He's smart. Obama isn't.
Oh, and I heard the Saddleback forum, and yes, McCain was joking when he gave that 5 million remark.
Mcain is so out of touch with the average american here is some examples 500 dollar shoes, private jet, 6 houses, 700 thousand dollar credit card limits, his children not from his first marriage because he left them have 50 thousand dollars credit card limits now tell me is that the average american?????????????
I don't think there was anything to do with that comment except distort. I don't see how or why McCain thought that would come off as funny.
The Messiah brain washed children are out in full force. The Chosen One will heal all...give me a break.
What about him stating that he would go to the Gates of Hell to find Osama Bin Laden.
So sad.......................
For those of you who have commented prior to this, open your eyes. The financial plans going forward are larger than you may realize. How much money do you think will go towards McCains Warmongering over and above your every day taxes. The overall effect will be staggering. John McCain in the long run will cost you by far more than Obama. Don't forget "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, and also the important vetoing of all beers and support for Jerome Corsi.
The costs are not only financial, rather they include social, economic, political and religious costs.
It's good that McStupid doesn't want to raise taxes, after all, we don't need to pay for anything! The goodwill that the rest of the world feels for America will prevent them from ever calling in their debts. Wee, I'm stupid!
250,000 is not rich. 250,000 is doing well for yourself. apparently nobama wants to punish people who did even that well.
why can't nobama just find a way to spend less than 3 TRILLION dollars a year? that should be a lot easier than raising taxes and robbing us all a bit more.
why don't we just invite karl marx to be nobama's VP, then we can take every penny anyone makes over 250,000, redistribute it to fat cat politicians and the contractors in their pockets with bloated wasteful projects, and all be equally miserable. welcome to the democratic party
McCain thinks financial woes are "funny"
Drilling will create a "psychological" impact
We should "bomb bomb bomb" Iran
Won't reject the notion that we are a nation of "whiners"
Say's it's OK his aides were former lobbyists and paid $800k by Georgia
Says we are all "Georgians"
Jokes about putting his wife in a topless beauty contest
Won't address the nuclear plant problems in Europe, reactor leaks on the USS Washington or answer how we'll take care of reactor waste.
Flip flops more than Obama
McCain is completely out of touch with average working people and their needs. And he and his followers are irresponsible to think that giving more tax cuts to the wealthy is sound economic policy. If he is allowed to continue the disastrous economic policies begun by Bush and pushed so vigorously by the neocon Republicans, this country will be bankrupt and soon the only remaining jobs here will be rickshaw pullers for visiting wealthy Asian tourists or cameltenders for visiting wealthy Arab sheiks. Get smart, people: WE CANNOT AFFORD 4 MORE YEARS OF BUSHONOMICS UNDER McCAIN!
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!
That's what you get, Senator McBush-
Know you know what it feels like to have your words distorted or taken out of context- just like you all have done with Barack and Michelle.
Even Laura Bush defended Michelle- so I guess that means Laura Bush must hate America also-
out of touch mccain scores another dumb remark.and republicans eat it up.geesh.talk about sheep.
"Remember when Barack Obama said he was ‘tired of distortion, name-calling, and sound bite solutions to complicated problems?’ Neither do we," wrote Bounds.
Does Mccain?
I don't care if McCain came off as more articulate than Obama, McCain has no substance. Everyone criticized Obama for being articulate with no substance, but it seems to me at least he was being honest. John McCain lied to our faces and dared us to say anything about his lies.
For example:
During his weekend interview with Rev. Rick Warren, Sen. John McCain said that if he were president he would have never nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, David Souter or John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court.
McCain wasn't a senator when Stevens was nominated, but why did he nevertheless vote to confirm Ginsburg, Breyer, and Souter?
It seems he was for them before he was against them.
To those of you saying Barack Obama is the biggest idiot to run for President, maybe you should look in the mirror and realize how big of an idiot you are.
You do realize that we have a chimp running the country right now, don't you? You do realize that McCain wants to continue nearly all of the same policies of that chimp currently running our country, don't you?
WAKE UP AMERICA!! THERE IS NO REASON TO FEAR HAVING A PRESIDENT THAT IS SMART!
Obama '08
Obama didn't say $55K, he said $250K. I can't believe McCain thinks a person making between $250k and $5mill are the same as those who make less than that. McCain just wants to keep hobnobbing with his rich elitist friends.
McCain stated in Saturday's forum that it's not tax policies but spending that is the problem. Was he referring to the $10-12 mil a month we have been spending in Iraq for the war, was that the spending he was referring to? If so, then I agree with him. Only if he gets elected it will continue indefinitely and we will have to continue to borrow to pay for it. How is this a new or even a good tax plan that will benefit Americans?
Its going to take more than that to defeat McCain..it will take Hillary on the ticket PERIOD PUMA
To "Fella from Chicago":
He had always said that his tax policy means himself and the likes of McCain, Bush, rich oilmen etc would have to pay more in taxes while those making $250K. I do not know where your imaginary $55K figure is coming from.
I'm so glad Barack didn't subject Michelle to that Saddleback audience. They would not have been kind to her.
O/08
Barak wants those who make over $250,000 to pay more taxes. Period!
What is Bounds talking about? Obama said McCain was probably joking when he said 5 million dollars. He wasn't distorting. He was simply bringing up the point that McCain doesn't mind the federal budget going farther in the red as long as the rich get to keep their money.
Haven't any of you heard about how the wealthiest 10 percent pay like 90 precent of the taxes in this country? So if you cut the taxes those wealthy people are paying, that equals a federal deficit. Personally, if I made more than 250,000 dollars a year, I'd be in good position to pay a little more and would still be able to live a life style more than most Americans don't get to enjoy ever. McCain/Bush tax plan just doesn't make since for the country.
McCain did a good job pandering at the interview. If I hear "My Friends" one more time from the old moron, I might just have to heave..... McCain is a rich, lying, cheating fool. Do you really think he cares what the common American has to live with?
McCain does NOT know the
definition of
RICH
because
JOHN
is
SUPER RICH...
$100 million
10 homes
jet plane
$500.00 loafers..
lying and no consequences...
only the rich....
Only the rich...
Who does Obama sound like? tax the rich!! give to the poor.......... JOHN KERRY....nothing new comin from the democrats..EXCEPT the message is delivered better comin from Obama than it was Kerry......
DO people really think higher taxes is the answer...... This is mind boggling that alot of people think that...
Please read the article before typing, $55,000 was not mentioned. You are showing your own ignorance not Obama's.
McCain has already failed in one or his tenents of rich, the ability to hand our children a safer and more prosperous world…” given the national debt rung up on Bush's watch coupled with McCain plan to let the rich off the hook our children and grandchildren will be paying for it.
mcbush wana be.."I DONT KNWO ABOUT ECONOMY MUCH"
OBANMA08
CNN I disagree with you. McCain did use the 5 million $ figure even though he said he was joking! Obama said that 250 thousand$$ would mean you were pretty well off depending where on where you live. I think that definatley separates the two of them. Obama also made the statement that his tax plan would affect he and his wife. I think he was very honest and sincere with his answer whereas McCain, if he was joking, refused to give another number instead going back to his stump again as he often did during the Q&A.
Lol. I laugh at all those who are voting for McCain... You just don't know... Its really sad.
"Remember when Barack Obama said he was ‘tired of distortion, name-calling, and sound bite solutions to complicated problems?’ Neither do we," wrote Bounds. Lol. Either this guy's grammar is severely off, or he's just admitted to forging a quote...
McCain actually said he wanted to lower taxes for all people. Obama knows he is taking this comment out of context and is doing so intentionally.
No – Obama's the dumbest candidate ever – Obama thinks you are "doing well" if you make 250k per year, so, obviously, someone making 55k is not rich. You are just trying to scare people. And you must be rich, just like McCain.
I have no doubt that McCain don't know much about anything, this is why I want him as president. I say give the people what they want!!!
OBAMA IS A CREEP WHO DISTORTS HIS OPPONENT'S WORDS.
HE WILL SAY ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED.
HE HAS RAISED AN OBSCENE AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND YET HE MOCKS MC CAIN.
HE OWES EVERY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP IN THE US.
LESS THAN HALF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS COME FROM "THE FOLK."
check it out.
I fail to see how Obama is distorting anything McCain says. Of course, if Tucker says it, it must be true.
These morons that blindly support McCain are so dumb they blame the failing economy and loss of their jobs on the democrats, so much that they are shooting them in churches and party offices. Talk about embracing guns and religion in tough times. LOL
Also, Obama is probably the smartest candidate to run for office since Bill Clinton and JFK. Unfortunately, the republicans in Congress stifled anything good that Clinton wanted to do, and someone shot JFK. It makes me wonder if the idiots down south want this country to fall apart so that God can save them.
Sorry Moderate in NY
McCain didn't come out more articulate.. just livelier and more forceful. Obama actually went deeper and more articulate with every question.. which is why they were running out of time asking the questions. McCain was just snappier. Watch it again... Obama goes into detail and McCain throws out one liners and tells war stories. That's not articulate.. that's just playing to the crowd.
Also... even though Warren knew that McCain wasn't in his "cone of silence", he straight out lied about it on TV. McCain wasn't even in the church during Obama's interview.. and McCain knew at least some of the questions because he specifically asked Warren when he's gonna get to the Supreme Court Justice questions... which warren just chuckled off. So Warren flat out lies... McCain pretends he's in a silent bubble... and the whole crowd is republican... I think Obama did quite well under the circumstances.
Clinton/McCain
Obama's title for his grandmother? "Grandmother", pure and simple. Obama delivered his speech on Rev. Wright and he was accused of throwing his grandmother under the bus. Now he claims that she is one of the wisest people he will listen to and you are not satisfied. Who would you rather listen to, someone who recognized wisdom rooted in his upbringing and exceptional family, acknowledge two women in course of one minute, or someone, who with his wife seated in the audience, failed to acknowledge her? Imagine if it was Obama that preferred two military people over his immediate relatives.
Mccain came across as a person given a rehashed answer. The only time that he was asked an unexpected question, he started stumbling! I have been voting for the repulicans in the past elections, but come november, I will definetly vote for obama. He is far a better candidate. Mccain will definetly lead us to another war.
Rich Warren and Sen. McCain need to confess their sin about the so called cone of silence.
What do they think a non-believer about to accept Christ is thinking about Christianity right now?
Shame on those in McCain's entourage who sat in the pews grinning and clapping devilishly knowing fully their candidate was cheating.
Tucker, that is what mccain said and Tucker mccain cheated on those
debates. He wasnt in a cone of silence he was in a car on his way to
the church. watching on tv or listening to the radio.
Some people knew he had cheated all alone. And he still didnt answer the question that was ask. He just talked about being a pow.
There goes McWarrmonger talking OIL/Georgia – it's blood for oil isn't it?
Moderate Democratic, New York if you really believe that Mcain came across more articulate than Obama, that's probabaly as far as your intelligence goes and Obama is to deep and rich for your poor intelligence. Obama takes the time and articulates his answers, taking you through his thought process and giving you other angles of a situation, thus granting you a clearer picture.
McCain left his first wife for the brand new rich one "Cindy" heck she spends 750,000 in a week (remember) so he is so out of touch with the average American.... he is a war monger that just want to fight!
Since McCain showed up a half hour or more late to the Forum, I'd say there's a pretty good chance he spent that time watching Obama's segment on either TV or his private car's TV. Wouldn't you if you were next at the Forum.
And now given McCain's attempt at humour on the Minimum Income question it looks even more sceptical. Obama made a joke about that question and then McCain tries to add his humour to the same question! Seems to me he must have heard Obama's answers on the questions.
Above my pay grade? People who love Obama,THIS is president? He look like 9th grade .If no HRC – go for McCain
I believe that McCain violated the 'cone of silence'. Proof, Senator McCain asked a question ahead in reference to who he will not nominate to the Supreme Court, and Rev Warren replied that the question will come up later. How did McCain knew that was a question among the questions? You should all play that video, and see the proof how McCain knew the questions that were meant for the forum especially in reference to the supreme court judges.
Is it against the law to be rich these days? You all need to go live in Communist China if you think that way. This is AMERICA. We are free to make as much as we can!!! Good night..this country scares me.
YOU GUYS MUST READ THE TRANSCRIPT FROM THE FORUM.
McCain new what questions were coming and jumped ahead regarding the court justices. And his cross in the dirt story was lifted from a Russian prisoner.
McCain was joking when he referred to the 5 million BUT he refused to define "rich" preferring to say that we should all simply be more prosperous.
Duh! Why didn't I think of being more prosperous myself?
I can't stand McCain on issues of importancs and an Obama supporter 110% but McCain was only joking when he said that during the forum. Obama should have left that statement alone...
Does anyone think Obama really intends for taxes to be raised only on people who've sold 25 million books? Of course not, everyone knew that was meant in jest. McCain was obviously also joking, so for Obama to use McCain's comment against him means either that Obama is just another shameless politician intentionally misstating his opponent's position, or he is incredibly stupid and thought McCain was serious. I would prefer believing the former, but Obama's performance with Warren lends some support to the latter.
At least Warren asked some reasonably tough questions – which is more than one can say for the media. Warren made the media look terrible (not that that is difficult to do).
For some tough questions the media should (but won't) ask, check out the list at http://www.colony14.net
It seems that most of the people that are commenting on this subject need to go back to High School and learn how this country was made. Oh that's right since we should give everyone tax breaks, how is America going to fund education? Just keep dumbing down.
I used to be a Democrat August 18th, 2008 5:10 pm ET
Barack Obama is the biggest idiot to run for President since John Kerry. I can't believe how far the Democratic Party has fallen…
-----------------------------–
This your own distorted hatred of Obama. What is your reason for the vile hate? Be objective instead of subjective if that is possible for a knuckle dragging, heavy brow ridge trogladyte as yourself or STFU ballzchin.
I wish I could make 250,000 a year because i would be better off.
But I don't I am struggling on below average income. McCain,or any
other rich ,don't know the meaning of not having the money to support
yourself no longer a family.$20.00 an hour is hard to live on because
it is tax and after taxes you don't have very much. Mccain, family
do not have to live pay check to pay check.
All I can say is wow!!! How can McCain improve America if he is out of touch with the majority of America? $250,000 is doing quite well compared to someone getting by on $25,000. It is just how this country is ran. You work, you pay taxes. It is only for the sake of equality that the people that make more are taxed more. The fact is, we have to have taxes.
OBAMA '08
McCain's campaign is complaining of "shameless distortion"?? Guess they would know it when they see it.
Hey Clinton/McCain: Here is what Obama also said:
"Now in terms of the administration or how I would approach the presidency, I don’t think I’d restrict myself to three people. There are people like Sam Nunn, a Democrat, or Dick Lugar, a Republican, who I’d listen to on foreign policy. On domestic policy, I’ve got friends ranging from Ted Kennedy to Tom Colburn, who don’t necessarily agree on a lot of things, but who both have a sincere desire to see this country improve."
Do you idiot PUMAs really want to give McCain two or three appointments to the Supreme Court? What do you think that would do for gender equity in this county? I guess you're all just Republicans after all.
Obama is really an idiot to bring this up ! McCain was JOKING, you can see the extract on this website. Sorry Barack, but McCain beat you last Saturday, so get over it.
OK – I admit this comment is shallow, but did anyone else have a hard time getting past the McCain botox treatment? It worked everywhere on his face, except his right forehead, which still had wrinkles. Yikes!
Senator Obama. If people haven't become disenchanted with your lack of experience by now, just keep pontificating and making cute remarks. They will. There's more than enough time for you to confuse your base and definitively lose the undecided vote. Keeping your 'celebrity' in tact will also erode your following. Whoever is running your campaign must be using Senator McCain's playbook. I think he/she is confusing the X's and the O's. And, choosing Al Gore for a running mate would be the best of the best thing that ever happened for the McCain camp.
The real disappointment in 2008 is that we will never get to meaningful, substantive discussion, answers, and strategies on domestic and international issues with you as a candidate because of your razor thin logic, your "feel good/sound good" politics, and the wisdom you so sorely lack for the office which requires a leader as opposed to a celebrity.
For all you people out there who think that we can fix the USA by brorrowing endless money from CHINA shouldn't have to pay tax!
(THIS JUST CANT BE POINTED OUT ENOUGH.....
Please remember...
There are only two kinds of Republicans....
Millionaires...
and
SUCKERS.
Obama is not asking them to be taxed more, he advocates 'fair taxation'.
As it stands, these rich people do not pay proportianately the same amount in taxes as the rest of america. We should all pay the same amount of taxes per dollar earned, and that is not what is happening.
Taxes need to be raised on the rich so that they will finally be doing their fair share for this country. It truely is getting to the point of the revolutionary days of 'taxation with out representation". All of the benefits are being bestowed upon these rich people, while the peasants, earning less then $250k a year are forced to pay more taxes to give MORE goods to the already enchanted royals.
Same per dollar, and atleast Obama's plan moves toward it, while McCain's plan further burdens all those that earn under $250k
The main problem is that most Americans don't understand the tax brackets and probably don't even know how much they actually pay in federal income tax. If you ask someone, they just use bad math to calculate what their gross pay was vs what their actual check is – forgetting all of the other deductions (state withholding, 401K, health insurance, etc.) You might pay 30% out of your check but it sure isn't going to federal income tax. Most small businesses make over $250,000, which does not mean that the owner of that business is rich, it means he has some operating capital in the bank to meet payroll and other expenses. Why one of Obama's economic advisors has not explained that to him yet is a mystery.
jabbing Obama - you idiot, you think Obama is anywhere close to as rich as the McRich's? stop drinking cool aid, Cindy spends $750k on her Amex in a month. you have no leg to stand on on this discussion.
Why work harder if you have to pay more for someone who doesn't? This is why socialism and communism fail. It's called motivation and incentives.
Cut the govt umbilical cord and the earmark spending and this country would go along way economically and socially.
fella from Chicago August 18th, 2008 5:04 pm ET
Well Barack, I guess that makes you and the good Senator from Arizona rich. So what's your point?
___________________________
Obama has said several times that he knows his tax plan would increase his personal taxes, and the taxes of everyone who ran for president in the primaries. So what's your point?
Most of those bad-mouthing Obama's plan to add some taxes to the
rich are either among the wealthy themselves, or they have fantasies
of becoming so. I guess they care not about the other 80% of us.
how you want te finance the healtcare, school etc. without race tax.
You better except tax because the US have to pay china a lot of money.
HIT HIM HARD OBAMA–HOME STRETCH BABY!!! OBAMA08.
You guys are arguing in the comments over half truths here. What McCain said was that being "rich" should be measured by if you can afford your home and provide for your children. The $5 million comment was a joke in saying that he wanted to lower taxes for all people and then used an absurd number as an example of a bracket that might be worthy of being taxed higher. I'm a registered Democrat, but pushing this argument of the $5 million mark is a losing argument and makes the Democrats look like they're playing politics. I wish people commenting here would pay attention and not just take the bait constantly. I feel like people are reporting and responding to reports based on snippets without going deeper into the story. There is now a lot of room to make those making this argument look incredibly foolish.
McCain is sooooo out of touch with reality and the American people thats why he said that. McCain really believed it and that is what is sooo soooo sad!!!!! McCain also said a lot more at Saddleback that was soooo out of touch with America. How can a man who buys $600 dollar shoes and lives in 8 houses and flys around in his private jet understand us. Also, in AZ he owns just about the most expensive piece of realestate in Sedona! And that is reality! Go Obama!!!
It is time to put down the kool-aid and ask yourselves these questions:
- Who is this man? Really, he has more than one name and too many questions as to where he was born and what his faith is.
- What has this man accomplished for America? For you? For anyone other than himself.
- How is he going to bring the kind of change he promises to bring – and his promised are too vague?
- Again, what legislature has he sponsored, introduced and gotten praise?
Empy arrogant suit. I don't blame it all on him. He was manufactured beginning in 2003 – READ and learn.
MCCAIN WIFE IS WORTH 100 MILLION PLUS, I AM SURE THAT WAS AN UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTION AND HE WAS VERY SLICK ABOUT HIS MARRIAGE, HE DIDNT STATE THE REASON WHY HIS MARRIAGE WAS DISSOLVED, DUE TO HIS ADULTERY AND CHEATING.
NOW I KNOW WHY HE ANSWERED QUESTIONS SO QUICKLY, HE WAS LISTENING IN.
SHAME ON RICK WARREN BEING A PASTOR AND HELPING MCCAIN PLAY DIRTY POLITICS. THIS IS WHY PASTORS SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED WITH POLITICS.
HEY RICK WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE, HELPING MCCAIN CHEAT.
DONT LET MCCAIN PLAY MIND GAMES, HE ALWAYS BRING UP HIS WAR TIME, FOR SYMPATHY, HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE TORTURED
MCCAIN MADE THE STATEMENT DEFEAT THEM, THAT TELLS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WE WILL BE AT WAR FOREVER.
To those of you who say, only Obama will raise taxes you are just uninformed. McCain will also raise taxes. Our country is so far in debt to China that our great-great grandchildren will not be able to pay it all back. Compliments of the Republicans thank you very much.
I think people who make over 1/4 of a million dollars a year are rich and can afford to help others out. They sure don't need tax breaks for Gods sake.
My family makes over 100K and we live a very good life. We also pay our fair share of taxes.
McCain will increase your taxes to support and finance his wars. Obama will increase taxes to give all of us health care.
The choice is clear.
Obama 08
LOL!! It is always fun to read some of the comments here. I swear do we live in the same America? McCain is the one that couldn't even come up with a serious number. Maybe under 5 million isn't rich to a guy that lives off his wife's 100 million. As far as the tax conversation, I say you all need to read the details it sounds like you are buying some swamp land in Texas from McCain without seeing the property.
Everyone keeps saying they want to hear from Senator Obama and what he plans to offer. He was serious last Saturday. He spoke from the heart, openly and honestly.
John McCain joked around constantly. He gave some of his answers befor he received the questions (huum). Folks don't you see the set-up? McCain laughs at Americans and you are ready to vote for him.
I would consider myself wealthy at $250k/year, rich at $500,000 a year.
As unpopular as taxes are, given the sorry state of this country's infrastructure, not to mention the looming crisis in health care costs, it seems inevitable that the government will have to get the money from somewhere. Maybe we need to have a major effort to sell government bonds, like what was done during the Second World War.
Neither candidate has shown the kind of urgency on the need to re-invest in the United States. There is a lot talk about alternative sources of energy, but we need to start putting our money to work on America's basic needs (health, transportation system) NOW!
Remember...the Sign of the Dollar...
I don't want my president kidding about my income or the economy at all. I don't want a man that is worth $40 million to think that rich starts at $5 million.
Down with McCain!!!!!!!!!!!!
NICE TRY OBAMA ,,,LETS NOT DISTORT OUR RECORDS ,,, CHEAP SHOT <<<
I think it's cool Obama is all nice and gentle...but after the Republican convention I think its time to get hard (but legal) as a Chicago gangster.
To poster who said $250+, you are as naive as Obama, fi you think $250K is the cut off.
That's what I mean about the non-education and leminglike quality of Obama supporters.
To "Fella from Chicago":
He had always said that his tax policy means himself and the likes of McCain, Bush, rich oilmen etc would have to pay more in taxes while those making less than $250K would get a tax relief of about $1K. So please do us all some justice by having some facts before posting on these blogs.
To "the first poster":
His plan clearly stated >$250K. I do not know where your imaginary $55K figure is coming from.
Mr. Mccain 1 dollar is important when you don't have any Please give the money for the people who works hard and lives pay check to pay check.
when everybody laughed at his $5 million, he realized he made a BIG GAFF!
It looks like poor McCain has yet to find a competent senior advisor to take his former "American are whiners" senior advisor
Senator McCain was making a joke about $5million being rich – what he has to realize we all know just how rich he is or his sugar mamma is. I do agree with Senator Obama that someone making over a certain amount that you should pay more in taxes. Senator McCain is just trying to make sure that people making over $250,000 doesn't pay in more in taxes by saying no new taxes.
Why is CNN not pulling McCain for listening in to the question that warren was going to ask he cheated not very Christian yes
Obama, i'm a democrat, and no waiy would i vote for McCain, but MCCAIN WAS JOKING!!! Stop it before it starts hurting you
TO THE RICH PEOPLE –
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH??? SERIOUSLY, WILL YOU EVER SAY "I'VE GOT ENOUGH MONEY AND I DON'T NEED ANY MORE". SOUNDS LIKE GREED IS A BIGGER ADDICTION THAN METH
to the 3 or 4 people who couldn't understand the quote in the article, try rereading it... you'll figure it out.
"Remember when Barack Obama said he was ‘tired of distortion, name-calling, and sound bite solutions to complicated problems?’ Neither do we," wrote Bounds.
"Neither do we" is an answer to the rhetorical question preceeding it. duhh
Same old Washington politics, from Obama
puma 4 hill
We need smart person in the whitehouse. I don't care where he was born, I don't care what legislature he has sponsored. I know that he is smart that is why I voted for Bill Clinton and that is why I am voting for Obama.
McCain articulate. What forum were you watching on Saturday night. All I saw was a 5 year old robot providing one word responses, some of which he tried to joke his way out of, or attempted to get a sympathy vote by leaning on his years as a POW. There was no articulation of the issues facing this country today.
WE DONT NEED ANY MORE TAXES.........PERIOD........ JUST STOP SPENDING!!!!
I am saddened by all of this. During these presidential campaings the realization that the overwhelming majority of my fellow Americans, both Democrat and Republican, are incredibly dumb, is reinforced over and over again.
When you live in a land populated by mental midgets, you get presidents like GWB. Now, thanks to primary season where the mental midgets (lets call them, the smal brain brigade or SSB for short), have given us two fantastic choices. One who is about to enter a nursing home, and the other who is barely out of diapers. Way to go team USA.
To all the simpletons from sea to shining sea..... please stop having babies. The only way to make the US a better place is for the dumb people to stop making more dumb people.
Vote for none of the above.
Please tell me why is it that Republicans get tied in a knot about paying taxes. How else are we going to pay for George Bushes War?
I have one thing to say to the guy that miss quoted Mr Obama. If you can't hear don't talk. 250.000 is what he said not 55K.
Oh I'm sorry,you haven't been able to hear in 7 years, because if you could have you would have long ago got off the Bush wagon.
pitiful when so many people want to take from other people for the crime of having more than you do.
the government collects 2.6 TRILLION dollars a year from us. that should be more than enough. it doesn't matter how much money they take in, they will always find a way to spend it, and spend more. giving them more money just gives them a higher ceiling to reach beyond.
the FACT is that the richest people already pay the overwhelming majority of income tax. they buy your schools, your roads, your old-people-payments, and your free healthcare.
bleeding them out more won't solve the problem of excessive spending in the govt
let's quit looking at "who else can we take more stuff from" and start questioning what the heck our government is doing with this absurd fortune every year
What ever happened to helping yourself. Why do people in this country think that the gov owes it to give you a hand out when you are having trouble. Everyone wants something for nothing. If you can't afford the things in your life then let some of it go or get another job. CHANGE comes from within. I grew up poor, my parents had a hard time with 5 kids but they did it and raised us without expecting a hand out. We didn't grow up with alot of extra but we were feed and clothed and had shelter. Cable is not a requirement for life people. I grew up poor but happy and independent. I have made my own change with hard work and sweat. That is what america is all about. The goverment doesn't owe us nothing nor do I as a tax payer. Make a change this year. In yourself. If something issn't working change it!!!
Lighten up Obama, don't you know that McCain was not serious when he said five Million, if that is the best you can do you had better do some more homework with your advisers. Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill!!!!
Obama is the dumbest candidate ever and jabbing obama –
You are two of the most ill informed people I have seen on these blogs. Maybe you should actually learn about the candidate before you speak.
When was the last time you heard Obama say that 55k+ was rich? He said that those over $250,000 he considers rich.
As for his home, he paid for it. Do the research and stop listening to the liars who will tell you anything and you believe it.
As for text messages, what Obama is doing will not cost me a thing because I have a plan that allows free text messages. Maybe you need to change your cell phone plan.
It's real simple people....the only way we are going to get our country out of this whole the Republicans put us in is to RAISE TAXES! Good thing I'm not making $250,000 a year!
No prayer rugs in the Oval office.
McCain 08'
To the"Obama is the dumbest candidate ever": You sound like the dumbest person ever, you probably are a PUMA or a rich GOP. You have no basis for your allegation, u do realize that McCain is richer than Hillary and Obama put together. I guess you like McCain's policy of " america is bunch of whiners".
"Remember when Obama said he was tired of distortion and name calling", yea i also remember when McLame said he would run a clean campaign without negative attacks, he's a liar and another GOP puppet, having Karl Rove's people take over his campaign.
Obama in '08, easily
To all those living the high life, try living on less than $55K a year like my wife and I do. Yet we still pay taxes and give the church 10%. There is no reason but gluttony to spend more than you make, and to think that $250K a year isn't rich is to make a mockery of the millions who get by on one fifth of that without complaining.
Rick Warren's fat greasy behind will have to answer to no one but God. And believe me lying and cheating for God is nowhere in the bible. Make me beleive that Mcliar did not listen to the forum while he was on his way to the building. This was planed to score points with a group of people that was truely tired of the lies the republicans to include John McCain are putting out. This has been planned for weeks, so explain how you end up being 30 minutes late for a nation wide broadcast.
You know you're winning on issues when your opponent has to sell your Joke as a position of attack you on!
Obama makes ten times what McCain makes... Michelle asked "what can Americans do with a 600 dollar tax incentive.... buy a pair of ear rings".... yea... might want to stick to the teleprompter there Barry... didn't you learn anything from the other night!
How sad of what the Republican party has become. Republicans are now the immoral ones who's idea of a President is an unfaithful slimeball connected to Keating five, agreed with all of Bushes big Government spending and is now willing to have a p ro-abortion VP.
Now a four years after insulting us Christians, he needs us and has found religion?
Just because McCain has an R after his name, doesn't mean he embodies the Republican philosophy.
McCain is a disgrace to the Republican Party!